Regardless of how careful you are when spray painting, overspray is going to happen. And controlling where the overspray ends up is extremely important so you don't end up with a big mess that needs to be cleaned later. If you do need to remove spray paint, there are a few methods that can be used to remove it from your hands or skin, your clothes, glass, plastic, and even your car.
Most importantly, time is of the essence when it comes to cleaning any kind of paint stain. While there are no guarantees you'll be able to completely remove a stain or get it out in time, you'll increase your odds by acting quickly and following some simple basic steps for spray paint removal. This article will review some of these to hopefully help you clean up nicely.
How to Remove Spray Paint from Clothes
How to Remove Spray Paint from Your Hands or Skin
How to Remove Spray Paint from Vehicles
How to Remove Spray Paint From Glass
While all other spray paint removal tips listed here are rather involved, removing spray paint from glass is probably the easiest. All you'll need is rubber gloves, microfiber cleaning cloths, nail polish remover (with acetone), and water. While wearing rubber gloves, wet the cleaning cloth with the nail polish remover.
Hold the wet microfiber cleaning cloth against the spray paint to loosen the bond. Once you notice the paint starting to soften, use the cleaning cloth to scrub it away. Keep repeating this process until all the paint is removed.
Next, wipe away the nail polish remover with a water-dampened microfiber cloth. Finish by cleaning the glass with a commercial glass cleaner that prevents streaks.
1. Glass
Materials needed: Dish soap and a safety razor blade.
How to Remove: If the technique described in the article doesn't work, mix soap and warm water and wet the window. Carefully scrape paint off the wet glass surface to avoid scratching.
2. Wood
Materials needed: Denatured alcohol or mineral spirits and a rag.
How to Remove: For latex paint, rub with denatured alcohol and a clean rag. Oil-based paint requires mineral spirits. Wipe thoroughly with clean water and dry after the paint is removed.
3. Concrete
Materials needed: Commercial cleaners, bristled brush and a paint scraper.
How to Remove: Loosen the paint with a stiff brush and a paint scraper. Vacuum up all debris, then apply a chemical paint stripper. Lastly, clean with a pressure washer to remove all traces of the paint stripper.
4. Countertops
Materials needed: Olive oil and a cloth towel.
How to Remove: Apply oil to countertop and rub in with a towel. Wrap a towel around a hard and flat tool like a putty knife to gently scrape harder paint spots.
5. Carpets
Materials needed: For wet paint: use glycerin and paper towels or cloth rags.
For dry paint: use white vinegar or nail polish remover and paper towels or cloth rags.
For tougher stains, a commercial cleaning agent may be needed.
How to Remove: Dab or blot supplies on affected area without rubbing.
6. Linoleum and Vinyl Floors
Materials needed: Dish soap, warm water, rubbing alcohol, mineral spirits or floor wax, plastic scraper or steel wool.
How to Remove: Blot as much paint as possible. Stuck-on residue can be removed with a plastic scraper.
7. Brick
Materials needed: Pieces of fabric, paint removing gel and a bristle end brush.
How to Remove: Soak a soft fabric with the gel, then place it over the brick. Allow the product to stand as long as the manufacturer recommends, and the paint should easily peel away when you remove the cloth.
8. Plastic
Materials needed: Plastic putty knife, vegetable oil, nail polish remover, denatured alcohol, or dish soap, and water.
How to Remove: Scrape paint while softening areas with oil.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.